Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating form of arthritis in which the joints get deformed, affecting one’s ability to perform daily tasks. There are many conditions that are often mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis, such as psoriatic arthritis and lupus, and there are other conditions that are linked to or have a higher prevalence in rheumatoid arthritis patients – like cardiovascular disease and depression.

Below we share useful information on rheumatoid arthritis, including causes, symptoms, and treatment along with key differences between rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions.

Depression has been found to worsen pain experienced in rheumatoid arthritis. Rates of depression among rheumatoid arthritis patients is estimated between 13 to 42 percent which reveals how closely associated the two conditions really are. As to why depression is so prevalent in arthritis is that dealing with a chronic condition is stressful which can take a toll on someone’s mental health.

Depression can stem from the acknowledgement that a person with arthritis is unable to perform common functions which they did before or form living in pain. Furthermore patients may feel anxious that they now need to rely on others for support along with worrying about changes that are occurring with their bodies.

The health and medical information on our website is not intended to take the place of advice or treatment from health care professionals. It is also not intended to substitute for the users’ relationships with their own health care/pharmaceutical providers.